Text of President Bush's 2008 State of the Union address

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Church embraces future: Pastor’s retirement coincides with opening new sanctuary

Jeff Parks was 5 years old when he first met the Rev. Gerald Jordan at Calvary Temple Assembly of God. Thirty-four years later, Parks attended Jordan's retirement party Sunday, which celebrated Jordan's 50 years of Christian ministry. Parks was one of more than 200 people who showed up to honor Jordan. Members of many local Assembly of God churches attended the event and credited Jordan with helping the denomination open ...

After proposal on bended knee, he goes to bridal expo with wife-to-be

After three years of dating, Clay Carlyle got down on bended knee, looked deep into girlfriend Jennifer Reece's eyes and asked for her hand in marriage.

UGA scholarship to celebrate memory of slain hiker

A fund is being set up at the University of Georgia in memory of Meredith Emerson, the 24-year-old hiker who disappeared New Year's Day after hiking on a Union County trail and was later found slain. When fully endowed, the Meredith Hope Emerson Memorial Fund for Study Abroad will be given to a UGA student each year for study in a French-speaking country, with preference given to current and former ...

Stress-relief for a good cause

Some three dozen people spent their Saturday morning not only getting a bit of stress relief, but helping out a local woman.

Road racing goes green

It's not every day that an environmental official asks for a round of applause for an auto racing series.

Chamber marks 100 years of building Hall

Gainesville wasn't exactly a boom town in 1908.

Murrayville wreck kills two

BY STEPHEN GURR sgurr@gainesvilletimes.com Two people died after a head-on collision Saturday morning in Murrayville, the Georgia State Patrol said. Hall County Coroner Marion Merck said he could not release the identities of the wreck victims pending notification of next of kin. State patrol officials said the male driver of a 1995 Ford Escort was northbound on Ga. 60 near Bark Camp ...

‘Camp Invention’ set for summer at S. Hall school

Spout Springs Elementary School is planning "Camp Invention," which provides science enrichment through hands-on activities, for June 9-13.

Brenau grant will boost financial aid, endowment

Brenau University has received a $30,500 grant from the Algernon Sydney Sullivan Foundation to be used for financial aid for students and to increase the university's endowment.

Health report: Grown-ups need vaccinations as well

When you were a kid, you dreaded going to the doctor because you were afraid you'd have to get a shot. Now, you don't have to worry about that anymore. But medical experts say maybe you should.

Murrayville fire may have been started by wood-burning stove

From staff reports A fire officials believe was started by a wood-burning stove caused about $100,000 in damage Friday morning to a mechanic's workshop in Murrayville. No one was hurt. Hall County Fire Marshal Scott Cagle said the 30-foot-by-48-foot workshop at 5434 Marlowe Road was owned by Jack Gilreath. A fire call came in at 11:15 a.m. When Hall County firefighters arrived, heavy smoke was ...

NGCSU Professor awarded Fulbright

DAHLONEGA - An English professor at North Georgia College & State University has been awarded a Fulbright grant to travel to Ukraine in April to teach a seminar on American literature.

Gainesville's plan to link parks under way

GAINESVILLE -- Step by step, Gainesville is gaining ground on becoming a more pedestrian-friendly community.

Mountain Judicial Circuit gets new DA

Brian M. Rickman was sworn in Jan. 2 as the new district attorney for the Mountain Judicial Circuit by Gov. Sonny Perdue at the Capitol in Atlanta. Rickman replaced Michael H. Crawford, who retired at the end of 2007. "I am honored and thrilled to be allowed the opportunity to succeed Mike Crawford in this position and work for the citizens of the Mountain Judicial Circuit," ...

Covington: Fox bites students attending school

Principal Coleman says goodbye to friends and school

Mark Coleman and the late Chris Mance spent the last few years preparing for retirement.

Hall County schools looking at new visitor identification system

Visitors to Hall County schools could have a new security checkpoint to go through beginning next school year.

German tourists learn about diversity

A Wednesday visit to Hall County by several German tourists served to illuminate a reality prominent in the U.S., and increasingly in the forefront of modern Europe - the tide of immigration.

Ex-bank manager from Murrayville charged in theft

Class Notes: Uzbekistanis visit Lanier Tech

A group of 11 Uzbekistanis, including farmers, businessmen and a representative of the country's Ministry of Agriculture and Water Management recently visited Lanier Technical College to learn about its refrigeration program.

Local political group protests IRS focus

Area residents took to the sidewalk in front of the local Internal Revenue Service office, waving signs and encouraging people driving by to honk in protest of the agency and revelations that some conservative groups have been targeted by IRS agents.

Graduation rates up in local schools

Hall County graduation rates increased in 2012 from 2011.

Fire destroys home; one treated for smoke inhalation

Gene Jones was outside his Commander Drive home cutting his grass when he saw smoke pouring out to the road.

Gainesville awards bid for convention center study

Gainesville City Council approved awarding the bid for the convention center and hotel feasibility study to consulting firms Key Advisors Inc. and the Bleakly Advisory Group on Tuesday evening.

Flood damage costs start to emerge

Flowery Branch officials are estimating $1.4 million in expenses related to Sunday's historic rainfall, and so far it appears that most of the financial burden is falling on the beleaguered South Hall city.

Norfolk Southern says heavy rains overwhelmed Flowery Branch culverts

Norfolk Southern officials said Tuesday that culverts in Flowery Branch were overwhelmed Sunday by the heavy rains that fell overnight.

Local efforts gather help for Oklahoma tornado victims

Syfan Logistics is working to do its part to help victims of the tornadoes in Oklahoma.

Flood causes sewer spill into Flowery Branch Creek

Sunday's historic flood in Flowery Branch has produced another problem for the beleaguered South Hall city - a 200,000-gallon sewer spill into Flowery Branch Creek.

Ridgewood Avenue to close at 9 p.m.

Ridgewood Avenue will be closed at 9 tonight until 4 a.m. Wednesday while Georgia Power does work in the area.